HAVING endured two years of advice and debate from the same predictable list of reporters, news editors, politicians, academics, UK banks, foreign banks, European commissioners, experts and even the IMF I thought that I had heard all that I needed to make a decision on my future.

How wrong could I be: confusion now reigns.

This week saw the intervention of a nice David Cameron, who was extolling the virtues of remaining within the Union because it was safer and more secure and economically better to be part of a larger union within the UK. Was this the same Mr Cameron who is threatening to depart from a much bigger union because that one is not good for us and is proposing another referendum so that the people can decide? Since the population of Scotland is less than 10 per cent of the population of the UK it is probably more accurate to say that some of the people can decide.

He was followed by Gordon Brown; who spent much of his time haranguing me about the dangers to my pension should there be an independent Scotland. Could this be the same Mr Brown who caused more damage to UK companies' pension funds, through his actions during his time as Chancellor, than independence ever could?

He also took it upon himself to conduct various lectures on the risks which we should all face in an independent Scotland. Is this the same Mr Brown who gave the financial services sector free range with our economy and foresaw no risks whilst the largest financial fraud in history was taking place? Is this the same Mr Brown who saw no risks while he presided over a housing market which was clearly out of control with borrowing levels at seven times incomes and self-certified mortgages?

The quiet and reasonable Alistair Darling warned me about the disastrous effects on Scotland following the reported movement of the headquarters of various banks to England. He was most concerned that control would pass to England with them. Unfortunately, he made no mention of the fact that all major UK political parties are controlled by leaders in the south. Presumably that's not a problem for him.

Even Mark Carney, the smooth Canadian economic expert at the Bank of England who has been given control of our interest rates because the previous economic experts were hopeless, has spoken of the problems an independent Scotland may face working within a currency union which has already been forbidden by the extended coalition leaders in the south. I do hope that he has not been diverted from his main job, as there is news that the average house price in the UK is now £272,000 and in London is £514,000 whilst average wages are around £27,000 ("Property prices surge past pre-crash levels", The Herald, September 17). I'm sure that we can all relate to those numbers in Scotland. They are reminiscent of Mr Brown's latter days in charge. Perhaps he should extend his risk management lecture tour further afield.

I live in hope that my confusion will be put to rest next week and we can all get back to the boredom of politics as usual, but somehow I think this is unlikely for some time to come.

Archie H Stark,

29G Hughenden Lane, Glasgow.

SO now we all know the real value of the pledge signed by David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband upon which so many no voters are pinning their false hopes.

Next year brings the General Election and right-wing Tory MPs have already broken cover, confirming that they will block any concessions to Scotland ("Backlash from Tory MPs after PM promises more powers", The Herald, September 17). Not only that, but the three main Westminster parties will be moving rapidly even further right to forestall Ukip. The nightmare scenario of a Tory/Ukip coalition must surely make even the most dedicated Unionist tremble in fear at Scotland's future under such an administration. As for Labour's chances of success, it is patently obvious how unpopular they are, given that they have to rely on Gordon Brown to front them.

People all around the world are watching and willing we Scots to stand up and take responsibility for ourselves rather than accept the scraps from the Better Together table. If we vote No then Scotland's proud heritage and reputation will be destroyed on a global scale. The choice is obvious.

David Stubley,

22 Templeton Crescent,

Prestwick.

SCOTTISH long-suffering savers should note that the No campaign has written to me today to say that, if I vote Yes, interest rates will rise by one per cent. If this is a promise, it's the best news I've had in a long time.

Robert Johnston,

2 Colston Row, Airdrie.

DAVID Cameron has done all he could to prevent the electorate from getting information. By refusing any talks with the Scottish Government he has refused people access to possible solutions to issues like currency, division of assets and liabilities, defence, pensions and many more.

As the leader of a member state of the EU he, and only he, could have had an official ruling from the EU on Scotland's member status.

It would only cost a postage stamp, but he has not asked. Instead he demands that the Yes campaign answers, knowing that the best-informed experts expressed the opinion that Scotland met the criteria to be a joint successor state with the rUK, but only he could get official confirmation from the EU.

He should not be allowed to profit from this denial of democracy.

John Smart,

38A Kinneddar Street,

Lossiemouth.